Reporter

Derek B. Johnson

CyberScoop

Derek B. Johnson is a reporter at CyberScoop, where his beat includes cybersecurity, elections and the federal government. Prior to that, he has provided award-winning coverage of cybersecurity news across the public and private sectors for various publications since 2017. Derek has a bachelor’s degree in print journalism from Hofstra University in New York and a master’s degree in public policy from George Mason University in Virginia.

Articles by Author

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NYU team behind AI-powered malware dubbed ‘PromptLock’

Research

Apitor collected data without informing parents or asking for permission, the FTC said, violating federal parental consent requirements. (Image Source: Apitor Technology)

FTC announces settlement with toy robot makers that tracked location of children

Privacy

In a 2-1 decision, an appeals court upheld a 1935 Supreme Court precedent restricting the president’s ability to fire FTC commissioners. (Photo by Shuran Huang for The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Court rules ‘fired’ FTC commissioners be reinstated — again

Government

Workado publicly claimed its AI content detector could accurately determine whether a piece of text was generated by AI in 98% of cases. The FTC said its “no better than a coin flip.” (Image via Mininyx Doodle and Getty Images)

Workado settles with FTC over allegations it inflated its AI detectors’ capabilities

Technology

A new report from the Brennan Center for Justice says the Trump administration has foreshadowed plans to meddle with mail-in voting, voter rolls and much more. (Image by Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images).

Trump administration setting the stage for elections power grab, voting rights group warns

Uncategorized

Thief coming out of the door in the shape of Enter key. Cybersecurity, hacking, phishing concept. Vector illustration.

Researchers flag code that uses AI systems to carry out ransomware attacks

Ransomware

WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 15: Federal Trade Commission Chairman Andrew Ferguson testifies before the House Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government in the Rayburn House Office Building on May 15, 2025 in Washington, DC. The Subcommittee held an oversight hearing on the U.S. Federal Trade Commission. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

FTC warns tech companies not to weaken encryption, free speech practices for foreign governments

Government

DOYLESTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA – OCTOBER 29: Election equipment and supplies that will be distributed to polling locations in Bucks County are seen at a warehouse on October 29, 2024 in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. According to Deputy Director of Communications for Bucks County Jim O’Malley, county employees work with a shipping vendor over several days to move supplies and equipment in place at Bucks County’s 304 voting precincts where the supplies remain locked until accessed by poll workers on Election Day. (Photo by Hannah Beier/Getty Images)

Trump threatens executive order on elections, claims states must obey

Government

T-Mobile — A T-Mobile retail store at the Pentagon Row shopping district in August 2021 in Arlington, Virginia. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Court rebuffs request by telecoms to review $92 million privacy fine

Government